Wall mounted bathroom sinks are one of the most commonly used sinks in bathrooms today. They work with just about any size or style of bathroom and have a timeless look. A wall-mounted sink adheres to the wall (of course), and the pipes underneath are often exposed with nothing underneath. They can be quickly and easily installed and swapped out. Plus, cabinets or ceramic columns can be installed underneath to give more storage options or hide the exposed plumbing if you choose to.
Because they are super space-saving and easy to swap out, they are commonly found in small bathrooms, especially in rental units or apartment complexes. But they also work great for small half baths and guest bathrooms. If you can find a secure wall and anchor to a wall bracket, you can install your wall-mounted sink on your own relatively easily! The fixtures are often attached directly to the ceramic sink but can easily be swapped out for updated ones if you ever want to redecorate.
Wall mount sinks have morphed into a design that works for modern bathroom design, but it is actually one of the oldest sink styles in plumbing history. Their timeless appeal has never gone away and there are many benefits to installing a wall-mount sink including being one of the easiest to install yourself.
Pros of Wall-Mounted Sinks:
There are tons of advantages to installing a wall-mounted sink. Homeowners who choose this route will be very happy that they did for many reasons including how much space they save, the timeless design, and having the flexibility to customize cabinets underneath. Other benefits include:
Space-Saving Design
Wall-mounted sinks take up very little space, especially if you choose to install only the sink and its exposed pipes. There will be no cabinet or other column that takes up space. This is great for small bathrooms that are a mere 15 to 20 square feet. Plus, in these small bathrooms, chances are you don’t have a linen closet in them, so being able to put additional storage shelving underneath your wall-mount sink is huge.
Easy to Swap Out
Wall-mounted sinks can be relatively easy to swap out if you ever want to update it or install a new style sink. They can easily detach from the wall leaving just the wall bracket and a few holes you can fill in on the wall. You can also build cabinetry or add a ceramic column underneath if you ever want more support and a unique style to the sink (all while hiding the pipes).
Easy-to-Clean Floor
With nothing underneath your sink, you will finally be able to clean every inch of your bathroom floor! You can sweep and mop with ease, thanks to the open floor plan of your wall-mounted sink. No more hard-to-reach corners. With these sinks, you can always have a sparkling clean bathroom floor.
Affordable
The most basic models for wall mount sinks can cost anywhere from $100-$200 and only a few more for installation supplies. If you install it yourself, you can do a full sink replacement for under $300! More high-end styles and materials can obviously be more costly, but for a cheap bathroom remodel, a wall mount sink may be just the right choice to stay within a budget.
Cons of Wall-Mounted Sinks:
Now, a beautiful sink like a wall mount can’t come without some disadvantages as well. Many of the cons of a wall-mounted sink are really more about personal preference than functionality or design and really depends on what the homeowner is looking for specifically.
No Storage Underneath
The convenience of a bathroom vanity is that it has built-in storage underneath in its cabinets or drawers. A wall mount sink will not have this: it will have to be something you find yourself.
Less Counter Space
A wall mount sink will often be just the sink itself without any added counter space. However, some wall-mounted vanities take a lot of extra mounting steps to hold up the increased weight.
Can be Difficult to Install
Despite saying that wall-mounts are very DIY-friendly, they can definitely be difficult to install without two people. They can also be very heavy to mount depending on the style of sink you buy. So before tackling a DIY installation for your wall mount sink, do your homework to find out if you should call a professional.
Fall Hazard
Because the sinks are mounted to the wall with some caulk and a mounting bracket, there is still a chance that they can fall off the wall if you put a lot of weight on it. Don’t lean your weight on the sink, as it can crack or pull away from the wall. This is especially dangerous in homes with small children. If your child hangs from the sink, they can rip it right out if it isn’t properly installed.
How to Install a Wall-Mounted Sink
Here are some clear steps on how to do a wall mount sink replacement and installation.
Tools & Materials Needed:
- 4-in-1 Screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Cordless drill + drill bit
- Drain
- Drywall
- Faucet
- Hacksaw
- Hammer or prybar
- Knife (taping and utility)
- Level
- Paint
- Pipe
- Pipe fittings
- Pipe wrench
- Pliers (slip joint and locking)
- Plumbers tape
- Reciprocating saw
- Sink
- Soldering torch
- Stud finder
- Tape measure
- Trap
- Tube cutter
- Valves
Simple Steps to Install
- Carefully remove your existing vanity or sink.
- Re-route the plumbing if you need to so you can install your wall mount sink in the right place.
- Add the proper blocking and close up your wall, patching up any previous drill holes, and install new drywall.
- Paint the wall and prepare to mount the sink.
- Securely mount the sink and ensure all shut-off valves and drains are in place and leak-free.
As you can see, the installation steps are relatively straightforward. An amateur remodeler could handle a wall-mounted sink with the help of a friend, no problem. Not interested in a wall-mount sink? There are tons of other sink types you can install in your bathroom as well. For help installing your new wall-mounted sink, please give us a call today!
Making the Best Choice for Your Bathroom
Finding the right sink for your bathroom is an important decision that can play a substantial role in pulling together your space. What’s most important, is that your bathrooms plumbing is performing at its’ best. No one likes a sink that won’t drain, a toilet than won’t flush right, or a shower with low water pressure. The good news is, all of these issues can be resolved when you find a quality plumber like AJ Alberts! If you are tired of dealing with less than perfect plumbing, make sure to give us a call today. We would be happy to help!
